The more ardently you force the taijiquan to work, the slower your progress will
be.
You must let-go.
People do not like the fact that taijiquan does not embrace aggression and
force, but this is not just a philosophy.
Tao stems from observing nature; seeing the
physics of it.

If you want power in your taijiquan, begin with your
lower body.
Without a firm foundation, power cannot be expressed through the
framework.
Your feet must have three points of contact and the weight balanced equally
between front and rear of each foot.
Move up to the pelvis.
The pelvis must be stable, with most of the work happening in the hip joint.
Now focus upon the torso.
It must be comfortably upright, without strain; lengthening from the hip to the
crown.
Without these basic skeletal requirements in place, your structure will crumple
if you deliver through it.

Weight

Sinking and rooting provide an inherent use of gravity.
Dropped shoulders, elbows, sunk hips and relaxed spine, knees and ankles improve
root.
Without root, you are 'floaty' and weak.
Additionally, you must weight shift with every striking movement except for
kicks. If your weight is not behind the movement, where is it? When shifting weight, the alignment of the pelvis, hips and
knees must be
considered.

Pay close attention to your framework.
The body must be connected together with the optimal angles in order to transmit
energy efficiently.
Align appropriately behind the line of force.
Ensure that your body is with every strike and helping to fuel it.
Vertical alignment is the most important component.
Without the post, you are prone to slumping and this will put strain on the
body.
Imagine your head being pulled away from the hips.
Do not watch your hands.

Groundpath is connection + sinking + intent.
When you touch your opponent, they should immediately feel the weight of your
groundpath.
It should be a very distinct sense of weight in your hand; a downward pressure
that is not the consequence of pushing.
If your opponent were to lean their body into your groundpath, it should
penetrate into them and be most uncomfortable.
Pushing
peng and posture testing
exercises are designed to develop the presence of groundpath.
Be very careful to remain passive.

Neigong must exist within your taijiquan.
No conscious effort is required once the neigong has been incorporated fully.
If you need to 'do', the neigong is not yet inherent and needs more
time.
The neigong are everything.
Without them, you will use the limbs for
strength and that is not taijiquan.

It is very important to comprehend that you are not striking in the conventional
way.
Taijiquan is not like boxing.
You must not 'cock' the shoulder.
The power must come up and out - directed by the waist - inward to your opponents
centre.
If groundpath is present, you should be capable of placing your hand on your
opponent and delivering though without retracting the hand or cocking the
shoulder.
'Moving qigong' will develop this ability.

The less you try, the more will happen.
'Folding' and 'sung' will be introduced in the
syllabus.
These two qualities are passive; they are allowing rather than doing.
They teach you to 'step out of your own way' and let the taijiquan do its work.
Do your moves in an almost dreamy manner; drifting rather than forcing.
Pause regularly and allow your weight to settle.
Power will grow imperceptibly.

By yielding, overcome.
By bending, remain straight.
By emptying, be filled.
By losing, gain.